Charter joins CableLabs' Go2Broadband

Charter Communications Inc. added its customer information database to CableLabs' Go2Broadband service, which helps cable- modems-or-equipment retailers find out if a customer's address has broadband access, and from whom.

Go2Broadband, sponsored by CableLabs, is a real-time service that accepts a customer address query from retailers and refers the appropriate cable company to contact with the query. It gives a retailer a cable operator's service availability and prices, and lets a retailer order service for the customer's address.

Go2Broadband "creates an Internet-based electronic commerce tool to assist computer makers and retail partners in selling cable, and cable-related services. It supports the deployment of DOCSIS modems as well as legacy systems," CableLabs says.

Charter says it plans to use the service as another way to deploy its broadband services, such as Charter Pipeline and Charter Digital Cable.

CableLabs notes that Time Warner Cable, AT&T Broadband, and Comcast Corp. use Go2Broadband, while Adelphia Communications Corp. "is in its implementation stage." Cox Communications Inc. has "expressed strong interest" in the system.

Likewise, the program has multiple affiliates, or those companies who want to conduct business with the program's cable operators, CableLabs says. Affiliates include Motorola, Com21 and 3Com.